Senior Director - Head of Debt Advisory

JR United Kingdom; Preston; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment banking boutique seeks a Senior Director to launch and lead its UK Debt Advisory franchise. This pivotal role includes strategic responsibility for growth and oversight of advisory services, particularly in advising private equity firms on complex financing solutions. The position demands an entrepreneurial mindset, a proven track record in debt advisory, and the ability to build and lead a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in debt advisory, leveraged finance, or private credit.
• Proven track record in origination and execution of sponsor-backed transactions.
• Ability to lead teams and mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the UK Debt Advisory franchise with operational responsibility.
• Originate and execute sophisticated financing solutions like LBOs and refinancings.
• Act as a lead advisor to private equity sponsors and corporate leadership.

Skills

Debt advisory

Leveraged finance

Private credit

Origination and execution

Team leadership

Entrepreneurial mindset

Strong technical expertise

Established network

Job description

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Senior Director - Head of Debt Advisory, Preston, Lancashire

Client: Albert Cliff Limited

Location: Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom

Job Category: Other

EU work permit required: Yes

Job Views: 3

Posted: 10.06.2025

Expiry Date: 25.07.2025

Job Description:

Location: London

Overview

We are mandated by a globally integrated investment banking boutique to appoint a Senior Director / Partner to spearhead the launch and leadership of its UK Debt Advisory franchise. The firm operates across the full investment banking spectrum—including M&A advisory, debt advisory, equity capital markets, IPO advisory, and equity research—and is now expanding its UK presence with entrepreneurial leadership and cross-border execution capabilities.

This is a Partner-track mandate with significant strategic visibility, offering a fast route to Partner-level title upon successful establishment and early traction of the UK franchise. The successful candidate will play a foundational role in shaping and scaling a core vertical of the UK business—owning origination, execution, and team build-out from day one. The focus is on advising private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on mid- and upper mid-market transactions, especially complex, high-impact financings. This role offers a unique opportunity to embed and grow a senior advisory function within a high-performance, multi-product global platform—combining boutique agility with institutional reach.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the UK Debt Advisory franchise, taking full strategic and operational responsibility for its growth and integration into the firm’s broader platform.
• Originate and execute sophisticated financing solutions across the capital structure—including LBOs, refinancings, recapitalisations, and complex sponsor-led transactions.
• Act as a lead advisor to private equity sponsors, portfolio CFOs, and corporate leadership, guiding clients through capital structure design, debt raising, and transaction execution.
• Build and scale a high-performing team by setting recruitment priorities, developing talent, and fostering a results-oriented culture based on technical excellence and commercial delivery.
• Collaborate with international sector and product teams, leveraging the firm’s global network to drive cross-border opportunities and enhance client coverage.
• Represent the firm in the UK debt market, contributing to thought leadership, brand development, and strategic client relationships.

Candidate Profile

• 8+ years of experience in debt advisory, leveraged finance, or private credit, at a leading investment bank or independent advisory platform.
• Proven track record in origination and execution of sponsor-backed transactions, with deep understanding of the UK mid- and upper mid-market landscape.
• Strong technical expertise across various capital structures—senior, unitranche, mezzanine, hybrid instruments—and ability to tailor financing solutions to client needs.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the drive to build a business line from scratch, balancing ambition with disciplined delivery.
• Ability to lead teams and mentor junior staff, with a history of developing execution capabilities within advisory settings.
• Established network of sponsor and corporate relationships, capable of originating mandates and serving as a trusted advisor to C-suite and partner-level stakeholders.